CWG: LRs issued to France, Switzerland in CWG overlays scam

"After going through the application, I am convinced that legal assistance is required from competent authorities in the governments of France and Switzerland," Special CBI judge Sanjeev Jain said.

The order came on an application moved by CBI for issuance of LRs or letter for request seeking legal help from the French and Swiss governments for investigation into the alleged irregularities in what is known as CWG overlays scam.

The investigating agency told the court that India has mutual legal assistance treaty with Switzerland and France and that permission has already been taken from the Centre to seek their assistance.

The contract for overlays, which entailed supplying equipment and furnishings on rent, was awarded by the CWG OC to four companies that had formed partnerships with Indian firms. These were besides Pico-Deepali Designs, ESA-D'Art Indo Consortium, GL Events and Meroform India, Pico-Deepali Arts, and Nusli (Switzerland) Ltd.

CBI had in January filed an FIR in the case, naming OC former Director General V K Verma among the accused.

The others arrested in the scam include former OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi's Personal Secretary Shekhar Deorukhkar, senior CWG officials -- T S Darbari, Sanjay Mahindroo, K U K Reddy and M Jayachandran.

Others arrested in the case are Meroform India and GL Events head Beenu Nanu, overlays supplier Praveen Bakshi and Director of Comfort Net Traders Sandeep Wadhwa on the charge of bribing OC officials on behalf of Nussli Limited.